Two more young men, Sarada Prasanna and Tulasi, complete the small
band of the Master's disciples later to embrace the life of the wandering
monk. With the exception of the elder Gopal, all of them were in their
teens or slightly over. They came from middle-class Bengali families, and
most of them were students in school or college. Their parents and relatives
had envisaged for them bright worldly careers. They came to Sri Ramakrishna
with pure bodies, vigorous minds, and uncontaminated souls. All
were born with unusual spiritual attributes. Sri Ramakrishna accepted them,
even at first sight, as his children, relatives, friends, and companions. His
magic touch unfolded them. And later each according to his measure reflected
the life of the Master, becoming a torch-bearer of his message across
land and sea.